Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

If Julia Bluen got angry, a certain someone would likely fly into a rage as well. This young woman, though sharp-tongued, was actually kind-hearted. She didn't want to escalate matters, mainly because she worried that a certain man—utterly addicted to pampering his wife—would go ballistic, potentially causing many deaths.

His heart softened, and Hansen Ruiz's fondness for Rachel Bailey deepened.

"You can call me," Hansen Ruiz said, suppressing the fury within him and returning to his gentle demeanor.

Rachel Bailey glanced sideways at him, then, feigning apprehension, she replied, "I'm afraid I'll owe you a favor, and then you'll drag me to some Wine Party again."

Hansen Ruiz couldn't help but chuckle. He pulled the car to the side of the road, then leaned in, his gaze fixed intently on her. With a smile, he said, "Well, now you owe me another favor. Hmm, I actually have a Wine Party tomorrow. How about you continue as my date and repay your debt to me?"

"No time!" Rachel Bailey tossed the bouquet she held into Hansen Ruiz's arms, saying irritably, "You have someone to give flowers to, so go find her. Stop bothering me all the time! Maybe my stall was smashed because of you. If a small fry like me gets involved with a big shot like you, there will naturally be more people green with envy, and then disaster strikes. You should stay far away from me."

A shadow loomed over her. Hansen Ruiz, in a domineering yet ambiguous manner, trapped her between his arm and the seat. His deep eyes, holding a hint of a smile, were locked on Rachel Bailey's small face. His lips were slightly pursed, the corners hinting at amusement, as he asked in a husky voice, "Do you care if I give flowers to other women?"

Rachel Bailey felt a brief surge of panic at his sudden approach but quickly regained her composure. Meeting Hansen Ruiz's expressive eyes, which held both deep emotion and hidden affection, she raised her hand. Deliberately patting his cheek with a smile, she said, "May I ask, Mr. Ruiz, what does that have to do with me? How many cents is that worth? If I had the time to care, I'd be better off selling a couple more pieces of clothing. That would be more practical."

Hansen Ruiz's face immediately twitched. Heartless little woman!

His eyes shifted, and he smiled again, a smile full of affection that made Rachel Bailey's body tense and goosebumps cover her skin.

"What if, these flowers were meant for you?"

After speaking, Hansen Ruiz stared intently at Rachel Bailey's small face, not wanting to miss even the slightest expression.

"How much?"

There was no ecstasy on Rachel Bailey's face, nor any blush. She calmly unzipped the fanny pack around her waist and, just as peacefully, asked in return.

Hansen Ruiz's face darkened. She actually intended to pay him, treating the flowers as if she had bought them!

"Am I ugly?" he demanded, his anger making the question abrupt.

"Not ugly, but not exceptionally handsome either. That 'coffin face' from earlier is much more handsome than you. By the way, what's that 'coffin face's' name? Benjamin something? You said it too quickly; I didn't catch it clearly," Rachel Bailey replied honestly, pulling out a few bills from her fanny pack and stuffing them into Hansen Ruiz's hand, which was pressed against the seatback.

No matter what Hansen Ruiz said or did, she didn't want to get too entangled with him.

Hearing her express interest in Benjamin Robinson right to his face, and even praise him as handsome, made Hansen Ruiz's expression darken further.

He flicked his hand, sending the bills Rachel Bailey had stuffed into it scattering inside the car. Then, he snatched the bouquet of roses from her grasp, tossing it aside. Just as she looked up in astonishment, his hand shot out and closed around her neck.

She immediately began to resist.

Hansen Ruiz firmly controlled her, not giving her a chance to break free.

Rachel Bailey was petite and delicate, and at a clear disadvantage—how could she possibly break free?

It was the first time he had ever gotten this angry over a woman.

Damn it! He was developing feelings for her, yet she was infatuated with another man. She had spent far more time with him than she had ever seen Benjamin Robinson, and yet...

This heartless woman! She deserved to be punished.

"Rachel, don't mention Benjamin Robinson in front of me again. He's not your type," Hansen Ruiz said in a low, commanding, and husky voice, pulling her into his embrace.

Damn it! If he's not my type, does that mean you are?

Rachel Bailey wanted to retort, but her strength hadn't recovered yet, so she could only grumble internally.

Oh, she was regretting this so much now.

If she had known it would come to this, she would have rather been detained by the city enforcement officers than seek his help. She had thought her relatively plain looks would keep her safe from romantic entanglements. Alright, so her appearance *was* unremarkable, but men who got to know her never forgot her—it was all her sharp tongue's fault! But Hansen Ruiz? What kind of man was he? The number of beautiful women he'd seen surely outnumbered the grains of salt she'd eaten in her lifetime. He was composed, mature, successful, and suave, like a true Prince Charming. The women who admired him were probably as numerous as the hairs on her head. She had thought nothing would come of their interactions, yet, unexpectedly...